ROME, Italy, July 31. GERMANY's Britta Steffen has been on fire in the women's 100 free over the past few weeks. This evening was no different as she lowered her world record in the event at the FINA World Championships.

As a relay leadoff, Steffen clocked a 52.22 earlier this meet. Tonight, she won the world title with a 52.07 after a strong back half. The 100 free has followed this progression this year: